Arsenal closing in on club-record £22m deal for Premier League star

Arsenal have made a stunning £22m bid for Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini and hope to tie-up a club-record deal for the Belgian in the coming weeks, according to Goal.com.

The Gunners made the offer on Wednesday – the same day Roberto Martinez was officially unveiled as Toffees boss.

It is understood that Fellaini, who has been linked with Chelsea and Man United this season, has a release-clause in his contract that can be activated at £22m for a top four club, and at £24m for a club not playing in the Champions League,

The Belgium international stressed his desire to play in Europe’s premier club competition as early as last September, with then Everton boss David Moyes admitting that the 25-year-old would likely be sold at the ‘right’ price.

Arsenal reportedly have a £100m transfer kitty to spend this summer and their bid for former Standard Liege star Fellaini came on the same day that Everton chairman Bill Kenwright admitted the club were vulnerable to offers for the versatile midfielder.

“He talked about a couple of new signings and he talked about the squad and asked ‘Do they need to go?’,” said Kenwright of his discussions with new boss Martinez.

“I said ‘No, they absolutely do not have to go’ (although) there is one (Fellaini) that has a get-out, which everyone knows.”